Filed under: Broncos, AFC West
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Because of injuries and by their own design, the Denver Broncos are leaning on their rookie class in a big way.In last week's 24-20 loss to the New York Jets, the Broncos had 10 first-year players on the field at one time or another, including both of their first-round selections, quarterback Tim Tebow and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who each scored a touchdown.
A game-day roster heavy on youth is expected again Sunday when the Broncos host the Oakland Raiders.
"We've got a lot of young guys stepping up, and we are trying every week as a rookie class to improve," said Tebow. "The longer it goes, the more experience that the young class will get, and the more improvement you will see."
The violent nature of the game and the physical toll it takes on the players often leads to the kind of youthful infusion that has developed this season with the Broncos. That's part of the reason why so many veterans on the squad take pains, both verbally and by example, to show youngsters the ropes.
"In this game, injuries always play a part, and sometimes it's going to be like this," veteran running back Correll Buckhalter said. "In my first year in Philadelphia (in 2001), I remember first- and second-year guys playing a whole lot. That's what a team brings you in for. You've got to learn on the run, because teams bring you in to contribute."
Tebow last Sunday saw his first action since the season opener as coach Josh McDaniels unveiled a package of plays designed to take advantage of his running skills while giving the Broncos' injury-weakened rushing attack some new legs to stand on.
By design, Tebow's role could also be expanded down the road. He hasn't thrown a pass yet but that could be next because McDaniels wants to keep the Tebow packages diversified going forward to keep defenses guessing.
"We certainly can throw the ball with him out of it," said McDaniels. "We haven't yet, but we can't do the same thing with it week after week. We'll probably continue to tinker with it, including his ability to throw the ball, too."
While Tebow's game-day inclusion drew wide notice, the Broncos' youth movement got an early start with rookie draft picks center J.D. Walton and tackle-guard Zane Beadles starting from Day 1 of the season.
Undrafted free agents safety Kyle McCarthy and linebacker Kevin Alexander, on the other hand, made their NFL debuts on special teams last Sunday after being promoted from the practice squad to fill out the team ranks hit by injury.
Cornerback Cassius Vaughn, who began the season as the only undrafted free agent to make the team, and rookie wide receiver Eric Decker, both have been making their mark on special teams, and now are in a position to earn more playing time.
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